5 big takeaways from second-to-last open session of Seahawks' OTAs

The Seahawks’ run game played a big role in their success last season; why the team was able to finish 10-6 and get back to the playoffs after an early exit the year prior. The stubbornness to stick to it when it was ineffective is also (at least) partly to blame why it saw an early exit home in the wild-card playoff round to the Dallas Cowboys.

While it’s still unclear how much more Russell Wilson’s arm will be utilized in the upcoming season -- OC Brian Schottenheimer didn’t specify changes to offensive balance -- don’t expect Seattle to change its run-first approach. The Seahawks want to pound it inside. They want to be physical. And they’ll take shots downfield when opportunities present themselves. Screw what the outside thinks.

The team is always trying to evolve, Schottenheimer emphasized, but the focus is honing the identity it started to build last season.

“The big thing for us is just philosophy-wise, just making sure we kind of know who we are,” Schottenheimer said. “We make no apologies for how we play. … We’re never going to apologize for the way we run the football. Each game is different. I think you go into each game like, ‘hey, what gives us the best chance to win?’ We feel like we can beat people however we need to beat them.”

The Seahawks’ run game played a big role in their success last season; why the team was able to finish 10-6 and get back to the playoffs after an early exit the year prior. The stubbornness to stick to it when it was ineffective is also (at least) partly to blame why it saw an early exit home in the wild-card playoff round to the Dallas Cowboys.

While it’s still unclear how much more Russell Wilson’s arm will be utilized in the upcoming season -- OC Brian Schottenheimer didn’t specify changes to offensive balance -- don’t expect Seattle to change its run-first approach. The Seahawks want to pound it inside. They want to be physical. And they’ll take shots downfield when opportunities present themselves. Screw what the outside thinks.

The team is always trying to evolve, Schottenheimer emphasized, but the focus is honing the identity it started to build last season.

“The big thing for us is just philosophy-wise, just making sure we kind of know who we are,” Schottenheimer said. “We make no apologies for how we play. … We’re never going to apologize for the way we run the football. Each game is different. I think you go into each game like, ‘hey, what gives us the best chance to win?’ We feel like we can beat people however we need to beat them.”

Tuesday's session of OTAs welcomed some love for veteran receiver Jaron Brown and a defense of the team's run-first offensive philosophy. Plus, newly-minted leader Tyler Lockett discussed his new role with Seattle.